Hope Without Limits

I think I’ve been missing it.

“Jesus is the source of life,
the animating energy of creation that humanity desperately lacks.”
John 5 – The Voice 

Somehow I have missed this oh so important truth.  I’ve seen Jesus as the light of the world; the Word of God; recently as the actual voice of God’s heart – but I failed to connect that the same creative energy that created all that exists is Jesus, Himself.

Picture Courtesy of Love’s Rainbow Universe

In John 5, Jesus was talking to the teachers about the law telling them how they didn’t see what was in front of them and to what the law was actually pointing.  That set me pondering – to what was the law pointing?

Recently while walking one morning revelation dawned that when Moses was given the law it wasn’t about do’s and don’ts.  Seriously.  It was to tell the Israelites about who God was, His character and how He would act.  It was God revealing Himself to Moses.

It wasn’t a measurement system.  It was supposed to be a revelation and everybody missed it.   They took it upon themselves to try to “be like God” seeking more rules and instructions as their guide, instead of being amazed and asking “Who is like this?”  “Who thinks like this?”  “Who lives like this?”  “Who loves like this?”

Those answers would have changed peoples lives as much as meeting Jesus changed peoples lives.  Why?  Because to quote a 70’s worship song “Jesus is the answer.”

People were still asking the wrong questions and still missing it when Jesus walked this earth.  He was/is the fulfillment of The Torah, which actually means “teachings” rather than “law”.  Jesus was telling telling everyone who would listen, including the religious leaders, this is what life looks life looks like when the law/teachings are fulfilled because I look like the Father.  (Colossians 1:15)

Puts a whole new dimension on it, don’t you think?  Is “your picture” getting bigger?

It’s always been about love and not keeping the rules, if I look at the commandments from the perspective of an answer to Moses question: You asked who I am, this is my answer.

The first 4 commandments are about us loving God for what He has already done (Exodus 20:1-11).  Look at the last six commandments (Exodus 20:12-17).  They are basically 1 Corinthians 13 as a revelation of who God is and how He acts, for He is love.   Jesus confirmed that when he was asked what is the greatest commandment?

 “Love the Eternal One your God
with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind.”
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is nearly as important,
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The rest of the law, and all the teachings of the prophets,
are but variations on these themes.
Matthew 22:37-40 The Voice

 However, the Israelites equated power with wrath and punishment – their experience for the past 400 years in Egypt.  Their paradigm was don’t get close to power, it will hurt you.  That belief system prevented them from being able to clearly hear and see what God was presenting to them, even though they had the evidence of Moses’ transformation from being in God’s presence immediately in front of them.

Moses told them “don’t be afraid” for Moses had seen the power of God first hand.  What he took away from that experience was “Merciful, Gracious, Slow to Anger, Abounding in Loving kindness and Truth.”  (Exodus 34:6)

No wonder Jesus tells us those who have seen me have seen The Father. (John 14:9)

I think I need a bigger screen.  The power of all creation is all about love.  Now that’s a VERY BIG picture and one great reason to hope don’t you think?